Nearly a fifth of Americans say they prefer Canada become a U.S. state or territory.

A Research Co. poll of 1,002 U.S. adults conducted Jan. 13–15, 2026 found 17% would prefer Canada become a U.S. territory (10%) or the 51st state (7%), while about two-thirds said they prefer Canadian independence.

A recent Research Co. survey asked U.S. adults whether they would prefer neighbouring countries remain independent or become part of the United States. The poll reported that 17% of respondents would like Canada to be a U.S. territory or the 51st state, while roughly two-thirds favoured Canadian independence. The article places the poll in the context of broader public discussion about U.S. interest in territories such as Greenland. Mario Canseco, president of Research Co., commented that the share favouring U.S. control is larger than he would have expected previously. Key findings: - 17% of Americans overall said they would prefer Canada become part of the United States (10% as a U.S. territory; 7% as the 51st state). - 66% of respondents said they prefer Canada remain an independent nation. - Among Republicans, 13% favoured Canada as a territory and 10% as a state, while 64% of Republicans supported Canadian independence. - The poll also asked about other places: 56% said Greenland should remain autonomous (16% territory; 7% state); 57% favoured Cuban independence (22% territory/state); 54% for Panama (24% under U.S. control); 67% for Mexico (10% territory; 5% state); and for Puerto Rico 24% favoured independence, 17% statehood and 43% remaining a U.S. territory. - The online survey sampled 1,002 U.S. adults from Jan. 13–15, 2026, was weighted to U.S. census figures, and reported a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points. Summary: The poll indicates a minority of U.S. respondents support bringing Canada or several other territories under U.S. control, while a clear plurality or majority in each case expressed a preference for independence or current status. The article notes these findings amid public discussion of U.S. interest in Greenland and points to differences between public sentiment and some political messaging. Undetermined at this time.